Italy secured a convincing 2-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday: here are three takeaways from the Azzurri’s victory at San Siro, including Luciano Spalletti’s tactical decisions in attack and midfield.
Spalletti’s first win as Italy coach means La Nazionale’s hopes to qualify for Euro 2024 are still alive. We now sit second in Group C, level on seven points with Ukraine and North Macedonia, but what did we learn from last night’s win at San Siro?
Midfield competition
Davide Frattesi inspired Italy’s win with a brace, but at the moment Nicolò Barella appears to be the only untouchable in the Azzurri’s midfield having started two games from two under Spalletti. Frattesi replaced the injured Sandro Tonali against Ukraine while Manuel Locatelli was deployed as a deep-lying playmaker in place of Bryan Cristante. Frattesi was the undisputed man of the match. He was a sort of added striker as he often found himself inside the box in an excellent position to shoot. The Inter midfielder perfectly filled the spaces created by Italy’s attacking trio and proved to be an added value especially when the Azzurri play against opponents that sit back. It is still too early to say Frattesi will become a regular in Spalletti’s XI, but the early signs are promising and there will be plenty of competition for a starting spot in the middle of the park.
Gigio’s reaction
Donnarumma was once again booed by Milan fans, but this time, he had a strong reaction, knowing that many other fans in the San Siro crowd would back him. He was initially welcomed by jeers and cheers during the warm-up and when line-ups were announced, but boos got louder and louder during the game. Donnarumma had received the same reception two years ago during a Nations League semifinal against Spain. However, he seemed much more affected that time and there had been reports he had broken to tears inside the dressing room. On the contrary, he seemed much more confident last night. He proudly wore the captain’s armband and produced one world-class save, which unfortunately was not enough to avoid Ukraine’s only goal as Andriy Yarmolenko scored on the rebound.
False 9
Attack Mattia Zaccagni is the only attacker to have started two games from two under Spalletti, but the big news from the Ukraine game is that Jack Raspadori began to as a false nine. It made sense, mainly because the CT had urged his players to create space and move the ball quickly predicting the opponents would sit deep. Raspadori got the job done but was too wasteful in front of the goal, missing a few good-scoring opportunities from inside the box. However, the Napoli striker will be an interesting tactical weapon for the Azzurri as he will give Spalletti more options to hurt opponents. Don’t forget the Italy coach is a false 9 specialist having started using a diminutive striker as a centre forward almost 20 years ago, precisely in 2006, when he deployed Francesco Totti in the same position at Roma.
Good performance, the only criticism is as is nearly always the case we don’t score enough goals. Last night we should have scored a few more at least.
You are spot on with wot you say about the team at presant.some of the players to to wear the shirt with pride and not labour about for the past few seasons.
Having watch Italy performance against Ukraine, I can say with authority, frattessi is the most gifted Italian midfielder, barrella is a workhorse, locatelli is our Best holding midfielder, and Scamacca is needed upfront, we lack an aerial threat in attack, and an aggressive porcher for certain games. The overall performance of the Team was Good. I VERY much RESPECT and TRUST Spalletti, he Will definitely bring smiles to azzurri fans again.
” It is still too early to say Frattesi will become a regular in Spalletti’s XI?
WHAT??? I thought his inclusion in the starting XI was a no-brianer. I told friends well before Tuesday’s game that Frattesi had ti be included.. without question one of the best young Italians.. With Chiesa out, I would have out him in there against the Macedonians.